Jeff is the president and chief executive officer of the Independent Petroleum Association of America.  IPAA is the national trade association representing the 6,000 independent, U.S. companies that drill 90 percent of America’s oil and natural gas wells. He is also the founder and president of Energy in Depth, the industry’s rapid response, research and communications coalition.

Jeff currently chairs the Natural Gas Council, a coordination group of the American Petroleum Institute, American Gas Association, Interstate Natural Gas Association, Natural Gas Supply Association and IPAA.

Eshelman is a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s “Association Committee of 100 (C100),” a group of CEOs representing all free enterprise segments of American business industries. He also is a member of the Council for a Secure America’s Partnership Society. The Council is an organization dedicated to promoting United States energy independence, its impact on United States foreign policy, and the strategic relationship between the United States and Israel.

In his previous role as chief operating officer of IPAA, he oversaw public affairs and communications, administration, membership, IT and finance departments.

In his 25-plus years in the oil and natural gas industry, Jeff has also managed the communications programs of the Petroleum Technology Transfer Council and the National Stripper Well Association.

He has worked for three national and global public affairs firms. Other professional experience includes The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, the Department of Defense and the U.S. House of Representatives.

A native of Berks County, Pennsylvania, Jeff is an honors graduate (political communications) of The George Washington University.  He resides on Capitol Hill in the nation’s capital.